PROPOSED SOLAR SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE (SEZ) … Special Economic Zone SEZ... · proposed solar...

EOH Coastal & Environmental Services NCEDA SEZ AND SOLAR PV, UPINGTON i

PROPOSED SOLAR SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE (SEZ) IN UPINGTON, NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE

DRAFT TOURISM ASSESSMENT REPORT

DRAFT

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www.cesnet.co.za | www.eoh.co.za

JANUARY 2017

http://www.nceda.co.za/

http://www.cesnet.co.za/

http://www.eoh.co.za/

EOH Coastal & Environmental Services NCEDA SEZ AND SOLAR PV, UPINGTON

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REVISIONS TRACKING TABLE

Report Title: NCEDA Solar SEZ; Draft Tourism Assessment Report Report Version: Draft Project Number: 077

Name Responsibility Signature Date

Rosalie Evans Author

Alan Carter Report Reviewer

Copyright This document contains intellectual property and proprietary information that is protected by copyright in favour of Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd. (and the specialist consultants). The document may therefore not be reproduced, used or distributed to any third party without the prior written consent of

Coastal & Environmental Services. Although this document is prepared exclusively for submission to NCEDA, Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd retains ownership of the intellectual property and proprietary

information contained herein, which is subject to all confidentiality, copyright and trade secrets, rules intellectual property law and practices of South Africa.

EOH Coastal & Environmental Services NCEDA SEZ AND SOLAR PV, UPINGTON i

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 2

1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................... 2 1.2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................................ 2 1.3 TERMS OF REFERENCE ................................................................................................................. 3

2. ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................... 4 2.1 DESKTOP ASSESSMENT & CASE STUDIES ................................................................................. 4

2.1.1 Desktop Assessment ...................................................................................................... 4 2.1.2 Case Studies .................................................................................................................. 4

2.2 SITE INVESTIGATION AND STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION .................................................... 4 2.2.1 Site Investigation ............................................................................................................ 4 2.2.1 Stakeholder Consultation ............................................................................................... 6

3. TOURISM .............................................................................................................................. 7 3.1 TOURISM IN THE NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE ......................................................................... 7

3.1.1 Namakwa Region ........................................................................................................... 7 3.1.2 Kalahari Region .............................................................................................................. 7 3.1.3 Karoo Region ................................................................................................................. 8 3.1.4 Diamond Fields Region .................................................................................................. 8 3.1.5 Green Kalahari Region ................................................................................................... 8

3.2 TOURISM IN UPINGTON .................................................................................................................. 8 3.3 PROPOSED SEZ AND SOLAR PV FACILITY AND TOURISM ....................................................... 9 3.4 TYPES OF TOURIST ATTRACTIONS ............................................................................................ 10

4. TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT .................................................................................... 13 4.1 METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACTS .................................... 13 4.2 TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................ 15

5. CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................... 21 5.1 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................. 21 5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................................... 21

5.2.1 Sense of place (Construction Phase) ........................................................................... 21 5.2.2 Sense of place (Operational Phase) ............................................................................. 21

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.1: Locality Map of the proposed Solar SEZ in Upington within the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality. ......... 2 Figure 1.2: Map of the proposed layout of the SEZ and Solar PV in Upington. ..................................................... 3 Figure 2.1: Site investigation in Upington (1). ................................................................................................ 5 Figure 2.2: Site investigation in Upington (2). ................................................................................................ 6 Figure 3.1: Map of the regional attractions in the Northern Cape Province. ........................................................ 7 Figure 3.2: Tourism map of Upington in the Green Kalahari. .......................................................................... 10 Figure 3.3: Map of Renewable Energy Power Plants in South Africa (Earthworks Magazine, 2015). ...................... 10

LIST OF TABLES Table 2.1: Websites resources..................................................................................................................... 4 Table 3.1: Types of Tourism Attractions in- and around Upington. .................................................................. 10 Table 4.1: Significance Rating Table. .......................................................................................................... 13 Table 4.2: Impact Severity Rating. ............................................................................................................. 13 Table 4.3: Overall Significance Rating. ........................................................................................................ 14 Table 4.4: Mind Map of the Tourism Impacts. ............................................................................................. 15 Table 4.5: Tourism Impacts Significance Summary. ...................................................................................... 15 Table 4.6: Tourism Impact Assessment. ...................................................................................................... 16

DRAFT TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT

EOH Coastal & Environmental Services NCEDA SEZ AND SOLAR PV, UPINGTON 2

1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND EOH Coastal and Environmental Services (EOH) has been appointed by the Northern Cape Economic Development, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (NCEDA) as the Environmental Assessment Practitioners (EAPs) to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and required specialist studies for the proposed Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Solar Photovoltaics (Solar PV) in Upington within the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality (previously the //Khara Hais Local Municipality) of the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality (previously the Siyanda District Municipality), Northern Cape Province. A Social Impact Assessment (SIA), including Tourism Assessment, is one of the required specialist studies. This Tourism Assessment is required to assess the impact that the proposed SEZ and Solar PV will have on the tourism facilities in- and around Upington.

Figure 1.1: Locality Map of the proposed Solar SEZ in Upington within the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality.

1.2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION The establishment of the SEZ and Solar PV in Upington has been driven by the anticipated outlook for the renewable solar energy power demand in South Africa within the context of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2010 - 2030 of the South African Government. The outlook based approach has been used by South Africa to ensure that the objectives are met for a sustainable future for the country. It is anticipated that the increased utilisation of renewable energy as a source of electricity generation will drive the establishment of new industries. It is with this backdrop that the strategic objective of the SEZ and Solar PV is to become an industrial node that will attract solar related manufacturing, assembly and supporting services in support of South Africa’s renewable energy strategy.



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The NCEDA is proposing the following developments in Upington (Figure 1.2):

The development of four hundred and forty (440) hectares of land located north of Upington as a SEZ;

Bulk and internal services; such as electricity, water, sewage and road/street infrastructure within the SEZ; and

A new Solar PV Facility located on approximately seventy-two (72) hectares of the proposed SEZ footprint.

Figure 1.2: Map of the proposed layout of the SEZ and Solar PV in Upington.

1.3 TERMS OF REFERENCE The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Tourism Assessment consist of the following main tasks: 1. Determine the potential positive and negative impacts that the proposed SEZ and Solar PV will have on

existing tourism facilities; and 2. Determine the possible tourism opportunities that could arise as a result of the proposed SEZ and Solar

PV. This will include an assessment of the tourism industry status quo, including:

The identification and description of relevant case studies and the impacts that these projects had on the surrounding tourism facilities;

Review and analysis of available tourism statistics for the local area and the region;

Identification of the types of tourist attractions and the activity providers in- and around Upington; and a

Site investigation and assessment of the types of tourist attractions; e.g. distinguish whether the attractions are natural and/or man-made.



2. ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY The tourism assessment is based on available information that was collected using the following methods:

Desktop assessment;

Case studies;

Site investigation; and

Stakeholder consultation. 2.1 DESKTOP ASSESSMENT & CASE STUDIES

2.1.1 Desktop Assessment

The desktop assessment involved the accumulation of tourism information; including tourism attractions, tourism organisations and contact details from numerous online sources. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

Table 2.1: Websites resources.

2.1.2 Case Studies

Previous environmental and social impact assessment studies and relevant journals articles were sourced to assist in determining the impact that similar developments have had on tourism facilities.

2.2 SITE INVESTIGATION AND STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION

2.2.1 Site Investigation

A site investigation was undertaken from the 14th to the 18th November 2016. Accommodation arrangements were made at A Riviera Garden B&B and Le Must River Residence along the Orange River in Upington. Tourist attractions that were visited (Figure 2.1) included the Upington Tourism Information Centre, Upington 26 monument, Die Eiland Resort, Orange River Cellars, Army Base Upington, Sakkie se Arkie Orange River Cruise, Bezalel Wine & Brandy Estate, Date Palm Avenue, Bi-Lo Bistro and Caffé Molinari.

WEBSITE NAME ONLINE SOURCE

Brand South Africa www.brandsouthafrica.com

Dawid Kruiper Municipality dkm.gov.za

Department: Tourism www.tourism.gov.za

Experience the Northern Cape experiencenortherncape.com

Green Kalahari www.greenkalahari.co.za

Ground Up www.groundup.org.za

Northern Cape Tourism Board www.northerncape.org.za

SA-Venues www.sa-venues.com

Southafrica-travel.net www.southafrica-travel.net

South African Local Government Association (SALGA) led.co.za

South African Tourism www.southafrica.net

Statistics South Africa, 2011 Census www.statssa.gov.za

Tripadvisor South Africa www.tripadvisor.co.za

Upington Accommodation, Businesses & Tourism Portal www.upington.co.za

Upington.com www.upington.com

Upington Directory www.upington.biz

Upington-information www.upington-information.co.za

Upington Tourism www.upingtontourism.co.za

ZF Mgcawu District Municipality zfm-dm.co.za

http://www.brandsouthafrica.com/

http://dkm.gov.za/

http://www.tourism.gov.za/

http://experiencenortherncape.com/

http://www.greenkalahari.co.za/

http://www.groundup.org.za/

http://www.northerncape.org.za/

http://www.sa-venues.com/

http://www.southafrica-travel.net/

http://www.led.co.za/

http://www.southafrica.net/

http://www.statssa.gov.za/

http://www.tripadvisor.co.za/

http://www.upington.co.za/

http://www.upington.com/

http://www.upington.biz/

http://www.upington-information.co.za/

http://www.upingtontourism.co.za/

http://zfm-dm.co.za/



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Figure 2.1: Site investigation in Upington (1).

DATE PALM AVENUE TOURISM INFORMATION CENTRE

ORANGE RIVER CELLARS UPINGTON 26 MONUMENT

BEZALEL WINE & BRANDY ESTATE

SAKKIE SE ARKIE ORANGE RIVER CRUISE



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Figure 2.2: Site investigation in Upington (2).

2.2.1 Stakeholder Consultation

Stakeholder meetings were held with the affected and surrounding Ward Councillors, representatives from the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality, the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality (ZFM), the Department of Environment and Nature Conservation (DENC), the Upington International Airport and the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality Local Economic Development (LED) Committee.

8 SOUTH AFRICAN INFANTRY BATTALION

TRAVEL ROUTES

A RIVIERA GARDEN B&B

LE MUST RIVER RESIDENCE



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3. TOURISM 3.1 TOURISM IN THE NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE The Northern Cape Province is divided into five (5) main regions; namely the Namakwa, Kalahari, Karoo, Diamond Fields and the Green Kalahari as indicated in Figure 3.1 below.

Figure 3.1: Map of the regional attractions in the Northern Cape Province.

3.1.1 Namakwa Region

The Namakwa Region is primarily known as a biodiversity hotspot and approximately four-thousand (4 000) species of flowers are found in this region and approximately one-thousand (1 000) of these species are unique to the region. There are also other tourist attractions in the Namakwa Region such as the Richtersveld National Park, Namaqua National Park, Tankwa Karoo National Park, Goegap Nature Reserve, Skilpad Wild Flower Reserve, Hester Malan Wild Flower Garden. The Namakwa Region also contains small historic towns, such as Alexander Bay, Kamieskroon, Aggeneys, Brandvlei, Calvinia, Eksteensfontein, Concordia, Hondeklip Bay, Fraserburg, Vioolsdrift, Williston, Kleinzee, Komaggas, Loeriesfontein, Nababeep, Pofadder, Port Nolloth, Springbok, Soebatsfontein, Garies, Steinkopf, Sutherland and Nieuwoudtville which attract tourists throughout the year, especially in spring when the flowers bloom. Copper and diamond mining have also contributed to the tourism in the small towns.

3.1.2 Kalahari Region The Kalahari Region in the Northern Cape Province is known for its arid to semi-arid landscape which consists of undulating red sand dunes that are rich in iron, manganese and other precious ores. The Kalahari has a diverse variety of wildlife and faunal species that survive on the grasses, shrubs and trees.



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The small towns that occur within the Kalahari region include Kathu, Dideng, Black Rock, Hotazel, Van Zylsrus and Kuruman.

3.1.3 Karoo Region The Karoo Region is primarily known for its sheep farming, windmills, small towns with unique Karoo architecture and the succulent Karoo Biome. Tourist attractions in this region include Khoisan rock art on the dolerite and black boulder fields, stargazing tours, hiking trails, old churches, museums and Anglo-Boer War memorials. The nature reserves in this region include the Aloe Nature Reserve, Tortoise Reserve, Doornkloof Nature Reserve, Die Bos Nature Reserve, Rolfontein Nature Reserve and Victoria West Nature Reserve. Towns in the Karoo Region include Britstown, Canarvon, Campbell, De Aar, Colesberg, Hanover, Griquatown, Douglas, Marydale, Hopetown, Noupoort, Loxton, Hutchinson, Loxton, Prieska, Richmond, Philipstown, Orania, Petrusville, Strydenburg, Vanderkloof, Van Wyksvlei, Vosburg and Victoria West.

3.1.4 Diamond Fields Region The Diamond Fields Regions is best known for diamond mining at the Big Hole and a mine museum in Kimberley. The Big Hole is the largest hand-dug excavation in the world, it is two-hundred and fifteen (215) meters deep with a surface area of seventeen hectares (17ha) and a perimeter of one point six kilometres (1.6km). The city of Kimberley and the towns of Hartswater and Barkley West are rich in archaeological sites and historical buildings dating back to 1871 when diamond deposits were discovered. Other towns in the Diamond Fields Region include Delportshoop, Jan Kempdorp, Jan Kempdorp, Windsorton, Modder River and Warrenton.

3.1.5 Green Kalahari Region The Green Kalahari region is one of the Northern Cape’s most diverse landscapes with arid to semi-arid areas adjacent to the green agricultural lands along the Orange River. The Orange River has been used to irrigate land alongside the river since 1884. The Green Kalahari regions has numerous tourist attractions which include the Augrabies Falls National park, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Witsand Nature Reserve and Spitskop Nature Reserve. Towns in the Green Kalahari Region include Augrabies, Daniëlskuil, Kakamas, Groblershoop, Kenhardt, Keimoes, Kanoneiland, Mier, Olifantshoek, Riemvaasmaak and Upington. 3.2 TOURISM IN UPINGTON The town of Upington was founded in 1884 and it was named after the first Attorney General of the Cape, Sir Thomas Upington. Upington originated as a mission station which was established in 1875 and the mission station has been renovated into the Kalahari Orange Museum which includes the well-known donkey statue. Upington is located along the Namakwari route between the Kalahari, Namaqua and Namibia. Upington is the educational, commercial, agricultural and social centre of the Green Kalahari Region. The wine industry is the highest contributor to the economy of the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality (previously the //Khara Hais Local Municipality), predominantly in Upington. The majority of Upington’s wine is produced by the Orange River Wine Cellars which have six depots in the area. The depots are situated along the banks of the Orange River in Upington, Kononeiland, Grootdrink, Keimoes, Groblershoop and Kakamas. Most of the wine produced by the Orange River Wine Cellars is exported, primarily to the



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United States of America and Europe. The main office of the Orange River Wine Cellars is in Upington and it is the largest wine cooperative in the Southern Hemisphere as well as one of the largest in the world. The Orange River Cellars offer wine-tasting and tours of the facility and their products include table grapes, grape juice, wine and raisins. The Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality region accounts for approximately forty percent (40%) of South Africa’s grape exports. Tourism also contributes to the economy through accommodation, restaurants and activities along the banks of the Orange River. Upington is often visited by tourists as a convenient stop-over en route to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Augrabies Falls National Park, the Namaqualand Flowers, the Fish River Canyon and the Richtersveld. It is situated eight-hundred and twenty kilometres (820km) north of Cape Town, eight-hundred and seventy-five kilometres (875km) west of Johannesburg and approximately four-hundred kilometres (400km) from Kimberley. Tourists that visit Upington as a stop-over usually only spend short periods of time in the town. On the other hand, Upington offers tourism attractions which require longer stays such as hunting, fishing, boating, golfing, wine tasting and cellar tours. The Northern Cape Province Economic Potential and Investment Profile highlights possible agricultural opportunities for the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, of which the following are relevant to tourism in Upington:

Agricultural tourism opportunities such as wine tours and hunting; and the

Expansion of the table grape industry. 3.3 PROPOSED SEZ AND SOLAR PV FACILITY AND TOURISM The closest boundary of the proposed SEZ and Solar PV facility is situated approximately one and a half kilometres (1.5km) from the boundary of the high tourism area in Upington. The SEZ and Solar PV facility will not be visible from the high tourism area (Figure 3.2) but they could have an impact on the landscape and the “sense of place” that tourists experience when travelling to Upington.



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Figure 3.2: Tourism map of Upington in the Green Kalahari.

Project planners, engineers and other individuals that are attracted to Upington, from other areas, during the various phases of the development will make use of tourism facilities, such as accommodation and restaurants, in Upington during their visit. Individuals that are permanently employed at the SEZ and the Solar PV Facility will also seek accommodation in Upington and possibly relocate to Upington. The SEZ and Solar PV facility are being proposed on land that is not currently being used for agriculture, indicated in green in Figure 3.2, and should therefore not have a direct impact on agricultural tourism opportunities unless future agricultural tourism plans fall within this site. The climate in the Northern Cape is suitable for solar energy and Upington and its surrounds contain numerous solar energy facilities, indicated in orange and green in Figure 3.3, which includes Africa’s first Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) thermal power plant. This CSP thermal power plant is known as Khi Solar One.

Figure 3.3: Map of Renewable Energy Power Plants in South Africa (Earthworks Magazine, 2015).

3.4 TYPES OF TOURIST ATTRACTIONS Table 3.1 lists the tourism categories that have been identified in- and around Upington, provides the names of the tourism attractions/facilities and classifies them into either man-made, natural or both man-made and natural attractions. Table 3.1: Types of Tourism Attractions in- and around Upington.

TOURISM CATEGORY NAME TYPE OF ATTRACTION

Accommodation 28° North West Man-made attraction

Accommodation A Chateau de Lux Man-made attraction

Accommodation à La Fugue Man-made attraction



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Accommodation Aan't Kanaal Man-made attraction

Accommodation Aardwolf Backpackers Man-made attraction

Accommodation Abbiamo Guesthouse Man-made attraction

Accommodation Affinity Guest House Man-made attraction

Accommodation & Agriculture African Vineyard Guest House Man-made attraction

Accommodation Afrique Guesthouse Man-made attraction

Accommodation AG Bain's House Man-made attraction

Accommodation Alimento Man-made attraction

Accommodation & Spa Allianto Boutique Hotel Man-made attraction

Accommodation Aloe Guesthouse Man-made attraction

Accommodation Andalize Guest House Man-made attraction

Accommodation Aqua Viva Man-made attraction

Accommodation Arita's Rest Man-made attraction

Accommodation Aroma Guesthouse Man-made attraction

Accommodation At Home Man-made attraction

National Park Augrabies Falls National Park Natural attraction

River Rafting & Canoeing Augrabies Falls Rafting & Canoe Trails Natural attraction

Accommodation Avond Rust Man-made attraction

Accommodation BeMyGuest Man-made attraction

Accommodation Bet-EL Man-made attraction

Accommodation Belle Rio Lifestyle Estate Man-made attraction

Accommodation Belurana River Manor Man-made attraction

Tours & Agriculture Bezalel Wine & Brandy Estate Man-made attraction

Accommodation Burger Guesthouse Man-made attraction

Accommodation Browns Manor Man-made attraction

Accommodation Classic Court Man-made attraction

Accommodation Country Lodge Man-made attraction

Accommodation & Tours Daberas Natural & man-made attraction

Accommodation De Nachtuilen Guest House Man-made attraction

History Donkey Memorial Man-made attraction

Accommodation Belihante Lodge Man-made attraction

Accommodation, Venue & Casino Desert Palace Hotel & Casino Resort Man-made attraction

History Desert Patrol Statue Man-made attraction

Accommodation Die Kalaharihuis Man-made attraction

Accommodation Evergreen Man-made attraction

Safari FM Safaris Natural attraction

Accommodation Gemütlich B&B Man-made attraction

Accommodation Habitat Guest Village Man-made attraction

Accommodation Idemvelle Guesthouse & Flats Man-made attraction

Accommodation Islandview House Man-made attraction

Accommodation Jubilee Man-made attraction

Accommodation Just B Guest House Man-made attraction

Transfontier Park Kalagadi Transfrontier Park Natural attraction

Accommodation Kalahari Lion's Rest Man-made attraction

Museum Kalahari-Oranje Museum Man-made attraction

Accommodation Kalahari Monate Lodge Man-made attraction

Tours Kalahari Tours & Travel Natural attraction

Tours Kalahari Safaris - Desert Explorers Natural attraction

Solar Facility Khi Solar One Man-made attraction

Accommodation Kleinbegin Guest Accommodation Man-made attraction

Tours Kokerboom Food and Wine Route Natural & man-made attraction

Accommodation & Venue Le Bonheur Manor Man-made attraction

Accommodation Le Must River Collection Man-made attraction

Accommodation Libby's Lodge Man-made attraction

Accommodation Mafanie B&B Man-made attraction

Tours Magic of Desert 4x4 Adventures Natural attraction

Accommodation Mazurka Waters B&B Man-made attraction



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Accommodation & Venue Moonriver Guesthouse Man-made attraction

Accommodation MultiPro Manor Man-made attraction

Accommodation & Venue Naba Lodge Man-made attraction

Accommodation Naree's Cottage Man-made attraction

Craft &Farmers Market Old Mission Market Man-made attraction

Accommodation Orange Apple Guest Lodge Man-made attraction

Tours & Agriculture Orange River Wine Cellars Man-made attraction

Tours & Agriculture Orange River Wine Route Man-made attraction

Accommodation Oranjerus Resort Man-made attraction

Accommodation Protea Hotel- Marriott Upington Oasis Man-made attraction

Tours Red Dune Route Natural attraction

Accommodation River Bank Lapa Man-made attraction

Accommodation River City Inn Man-made attraction

Accommodation River Place Manor Man-made attraction

Accommodation & Venue River Ridge Resort Man-made attraction

Accommodation Riviera Garden B&B Man-made attraction

Cruise Sakkie se Arkie Orange River Cruise Natural attraction

Accommodation & Venue Schröderhuis Guesthouse Man-made attraction

Tours South Africa Photography Tours Natural attraction

Nature Reserve Spitskop Nature Reserve Natural attraction

Accommodation Strelitzia Guest House Man-made attraction

Accommodation Sun River Kalahari Lodge Man-made attraction

River Rafting & Canoeing Swift River Adventures Natural attraction

Tours Tata Ma Tata Tours Natural attraction

Accommodation The Cape Lodge Man-made attraction

Accommodation & Venue Three Gables Guesthouse Man-made attraction

Game Reserve & Hunting Lodge Thuru Lodge Natural attraction

Accommodation & Venue Tshahitsi Lodge Man-made attraction

Golf Course Upington Golf Course & Club Natural & man-made attraction

Accommodation Versamelnes Guest Accommodation Man-made attraction

Accommodation Villa Borghesi Man-made attraction

Accommodation & Venue Waterfront Guestfarm Man-made attraction

Nature Reserve Witsand Nature Reserve Natural attraction

Fishing Xstream Fishing Safaris Natural attraction



4. TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT

4.1 METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACTS

The following standard rating scales have been defined for assessing and quantifying the identified impacts. This is necessary since impacts have a number of parameters that need to be assessed. The identified impacts have been assessed against the following criteria:

Temporal scale;

Spatial scale;

Risk or likelihood;

Degree of confidence or certainty;

Severity or benefits; and the

Significance. The relationship of the issue to the temporal scale, spatial scale and the severity are combined to describe the overall importance rating, namely the significance of the assessed impact. Table 4.1: Significance Rating Table.

TEMPORAL SCALE (THE DURATION OF THE IMPACT)

Short term Less than 5 years (Many construction phase impacts are of a short duration).

Medium term Between 5 and 20 years.

Long term Between 20 and 40 years (From a human perspective almost permanent).

Permanent Over 40 years or resulting in a permanent and lasting change that will always be there.

SPATIAL SCALE (THE AREA IN WHICH ANY IMPACT WILL HAVE AN AFFECT)

Localised Impacts affect a small area of a few hectares in extent. Often only a portion of the project area.

Study area The proposed site and its immediate surroundings.

Municipal Impacts affect Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality, or any towns within the municipality.

Regional Impacts affect the wider district municipality or the Northern Cape Province as a whole.

National Impacts affect the entire country.

International/Global Impacts affect other countries or have a global influence.

LIKELIHOOD (THE CONFIDENCE WITH WHICH ONE HAS PREDICTED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF AN IMPACT)

Definite More than 90% sure of a particular fact. Should have substantial supportive data.

Probable Over 70% sure of a particular fact, or of the likelihood of that impact occurring.

Possible Only over 40% sure of a particular fact, or of the likelihood of an impact occurring.

Unsure/Unlikely Less than 40% sure of a particular fact, or of the likelihood of an impact occurring.

Table 4.2: Impact Severity Rating.

Impact severity (The severity of negative impacts, or how beneficial positive impacts would be on a particular affected system or affected party)

Very severe Very beneficial

An irreversible and permanent change to the affected system(s) or party(ies) which cannot be mitigated. For example the permanent loss of land.

A permanent and very substantial benefit to the affected system(s) or party(ies), with no real alternative to achieving this benefit. For example the vast improvement of sewage effluent quality.

Severe Beneficial

Long term impacts on the affected system(s) or party(ies) that could be mitigated. However, this mitigation would be difficult, expensive or time consuming, or some combination of these. For example, the clearing of forest vegetation.

A long term impact and substantial benefit to the affected system(s) or party(ies). Alternative ways of achieving this benefit would be difficult, expensive or time consuming, or some combination of these. For example an increase in the local economy.

Moderately severe Moderately beneficial

Medium to long term impacts on the affected system(s) or party (ies), which could be mitigated. For example

A medium to long term impact of real benefit to the affected system(s) or party(ies). Other ways of



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constructing a sewage treatment facility where there was vegetation with a low conservation value.

optimising the beneficial effects are equally difficult, expensive and time consuming (or some combination of these), as achieving them in this way. For example a ‘slight’ improvement in sewage effluent quality.

Slight Slightly beneficial

Medium or short term impacts on the affected system(s) or party(ies). Mitigation is very easy, cheap, less time consuming or not necessary. For example a temporary fluctuation in the water table due to water abstraction.

A short to medium term impact and negligible benefit to the affected system(s) or party(ies). Other ways of optimising the beneficial effects are easier, cheaper and quicker, or some combination of these.

No effect Don’t know/Can’t know

The system(s) or party(ies) is not affected by the proposed development.

In certain cases it may not be possible to determine the severity of an impact.

Table 4.3: Overall Significance Rating.

OVERALL SIGNIFICANCE (THE COMBINATION OF ALL THE ABOVE CRITERIA AS AN OVERALL SIGNIFICANCE)

VERY HIGH NEGATIVE VERY BENEFICIAL

These impacts would be considered by society as constituting a major and usually permanent change to the (natural and/or social) environment, and usually result in severe or very severe effects, or beneficial or very beneficial effects. Example: The loss of a species would be viewed by informed society as being of VERY HIGH significance. Example: The establishment of a large amount of infrastructure in a rural area, which previously had very few services, would be regarded by the affected parties as resulting in benefits with VERY HIGH significance.

HIGH NEGATIVE BENEFICIAL

These impacts will usually result in long term effects on the social and/or natural environment. Impacts rated as HIGH will need to be considered by society as constituting an important and usually long term change to the (natural and/or social) environment. Society would probably view these impacts in a serious light. Example: The loss of a diverse vegetation type, which is fairly common elsewhere, would have a significance rating of HIGH over the long term, as the area could be rehabilitated. Example: The change to soil conditions will impact the natural system, and the impact on affected parties (such as people growing crops in the soil) would be HIGH.

MODERATE NEGATIVE SOME BENEFITS

These impacts will usually result in medium to long term effects on the social and/or natural environment. Impacts rated as MODERATE will need to be considered by society as constituting a fairly important and usually medium term change to the (natural and/or social) environment. These impacts are real but not substantial. Example: The loss of a sparse, open vegetation type of low diversity may be regarded as MODERATELY significant.

LOW NEGATIVE FEW BENEFITS

These impacts will usually result in medium to short term effects on the social and/or natural environment. Impacts rated as LOW will need to be considered by the public and/or the specialist as constituting a fairly unimportant and usually short term change to the (natural and/or social) environment. These impacts are not substantial and are likely to have little real effect. Example: The temporary changes in the water table of a wetland habitat, as these systems are adapted to fluctuating water levels. Example: The increased earning potential of people employed as a result of a development would only result in benefits of LOW significance to people who live some distance away.

NO SIGNIFICANCE

There are no primary or secondary effects at all that are important to scientists or the public. Example: A change to the geology of a particular formation may be regarded as severe from a geological perspective, but is of NO significance in the overall context.

DON’T KNOW

In certain cases it may not be possible to determine the significance of an impact. For example, the primary or secondary impacts on the social or natural environment given the available information. Example: The effect of a particular development on people’s psychological perspective of the environment.

All feasible alternatives and the “no-go option” will be equally assessed in order to evaluate the significance of the “as predicted” impacts (prior to mitigation) and the “residual” impacts (that remain after mitigation measures are taken into account). Reason for the judgement will be provided when necessary.



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4.2 TOURISM IMPACT ASSESSMENT

The impacts that the Proposed SEZ and Solar PV Facility will have on tourists and the tourism industry are difficult to quantify because the impacts will largely be based on individuals’ opinions of how they perceive the proposed development. Table 4.4 lists the categories of tourism impacts that have been assessed and Table 4.6 provides a detailed assessment of the significance of each category.

Table 4.4: Mind Map of the Tourism Impacts.

THEME CATEGORIES

PHASES OF DEVELOPMENT NO-GO OPTION PLANNING &

DESIGN PHASE CONSTRUCTION

PHASE OPERATIONAL

PHASE

TOU

RIS

M IS

SUES

AN

D B

ENEF

ITS

Accommodation & Restaurants X X X

Sense of place X X

Dust Generation X

Noise pollution X

Traffic delays X

Loss of employment opportunities

X

Loss of potential economic opportunities and growth

X

Loss of an opportunity to create a tourism attraction

X

Table 4.5 summarises the significance of the tourism impacts before and after mitigation measures have been implemented. As indicated below, it is not anticipated that the proposed SEZ and Solar PV Facility will have any impacts of very high significance on the tourism of Upington and no negative impacts of high significance have been identified.

Table 4.5: Tourism Impacts Significance Summary.

PHASE

SIGNIFICANCE WITHOUT MITIGATION SIGNIFICANCE WITH MITIGATION

LOW MODERATE HIGH VERY HIGH

LOW MODERATE HIGH VERY HIGH

- + - + - + - + - + - + - + - +

Planning & Design 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

Construction 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

Operational 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0

TOTAL 3 0 2 3 0 1 0 0 5 0 0 2 0 2 0 0



Table 4.6: Tourism Impact Assessment.

PLANNING & DESIGN PHASE

WITHOUT MITIGATION WITH MITIGATION

Issue/Benefit Impact Description Nature of

Impact Temporal Spatial Likelihood Severity Significance Mitigation Significance

Accommodation

& Restaurants

The proposed SEZ and Solar

PV Facility will attract project

planners and engineers, some

being from outside of

Upington, who will make use

of accommodation and

restaurants in Upington

during the Planning and

Design Phase.

Indirect Short term Municipal Definite Moderately

beneficial

SOME

BENEFITS No mitigation.

SOME

BENEFITS

CONSTRUCTION PHASE




Sense of place

The SEZ and Solar PV Facility

could detract from the

tourists’ experience and sense

of place due to the changes in

the landscape during the

Construction Phase.

Direct Short term Municipal Probable Moderately

severe

MODERATE

NEGATIVE

The footprint of the

SEZ and Solar PV

Facility must be clearly

demarcated and

construction activities

must be restricted to

this area.

LOW

NEGATIVE

Accommodation

& Restaurants The proposed SEZ and Solar

PV Facility will attract Indirect Short term Municipal Definite

Moderately

beneficial

SOME

BENEFITS No mitigation.

SOME

BENEFITS



17

construction workers and

engineers, some being from

outside of Upington, who will

make use of accommodation

and restaurants in Upington

during the Construction

Phase.

Dust Generation

The construction of the SEZ

and Solar PV Facility will

generate dust which could

detract from tourism

attractions and facilities.

Direct Short term Study area Unlikely Slight LOW

NEGATIVE

No mitigation. The

high tourism area in

Upington is situated

more than 1.5km from

the study area and

should not be

impacted by dust

generation during the

Construction Phase.

LOW

NEGATIVE

Noise pollution

The construction of the SEZ

and Solar PV Facility could

produce noise that could

become a nuisance to tourist

attractions and facilities in

proximity to the site.

Direct Short term Study area Unlikely Slight LOW

NEGATIVE

No mitigation. The

high tourism area in

Upington is situated

more than 1.5km from

the study area and

should not be

impacted by noise

pollution during the

Construction Phase.

LOW

NEGATIVE

Traffic delays

The increase in the use of

roads by heavy vehicles could

lead to delays in the travel of

tourists near the site;

including National Route N10

between the Upington

Direct Short term Study area Possible Moderately

severe

LOW

NEGATIVE No mitigation.

LOW

NEGATIVE



18

International Airport and

Upington.

OPERATIONAL PHASE




Sense of place


could detract from the

tourists’ experience and sense

of place due to the changes in

the landscape during the

Operational Phase.

Direct Long term Municipal Probable Moderately

severe

MODERATE

NEGATIVE

The Solar PV Facility

must be maintained as

to prevent the growth

of alien vegetation and

to ensure that litter

does not accumulate

near the facility.

Indigenous vegetation

should be used to

revegetate the site

where possible.

LOW

NEGATIVE


could attract tourists and

improve their experience and

sense of place during the

Operational Phase.

Direct Long term Municipal Probable Moderately

beneficial

SOME

BENEFITS

Educational tours of

the Solar PV Facility

should be considered

to attract tourists and

educate scholars and

other interested

individuals.

BENEFICIAL



19

Accommodation

& Restaurants


will attract individuals, from

outside of Upington, who will

make use of accommodation

and restaurants in Upington

during the Operational Phase.

Indirect Medium

term Municipal Definite Beneficial BENEFICIAL No mitigation. BENEFICIAL

NO-GO ALTERNATIVE


Issue Impact Description Nature of


Loss of employment opportunities

The no-go option entails no development and would not create any employment opportunities.

Direct Short term Municipal Definite Moderately

severe MODERATE NEGATIVE

No mitigation proposed: If the proposed SEZ and Solar PV Facility development do not proceed then none of the negative impacts identified for the planning and design, construction and operational phases will take place.

MODERATE NEGATIVE

Loss of potential economic opportunities and growth

The no-go option entails no development and would not result in any economic or growth opportunities.

Direct Long term Municipal Definite Moderately

severe MODERATE NEGATIVE

No mitigation proposed: If the proposed SEZ and Solar PV Facility development do not proceed then none of the negative impacts identified for the planning and design, construction and operational phases will take place.

MODERATE NEGATIVE

Loss of an The no-go option entails no Direct Medium Municipal Possible Slight LOW No mitigation LOW



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opportunity to create a tourism attraction.

development and would result in the loss of an opportunity to potentially create a tourism attraction.

Indirect term NEGATIVE proposed: If the proposed SEZ and Solar PV Facility development do not proceed then none of the negative impacts identified for the planning and design, construction and operational phases will take place.

NEGATIVE



5. CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS 5.1 CONCLUSION The impacts that the Proposed SEZ and Solar PV Facility will have on tourists and the tourism industry are difficult to quantify because the impacts will largely be based on individuals’ opinions of how they perceive the proposed development. It is not anticipated that the proposed SEZ and Solar PV Facility will have any impacts of very high significance on the tourism of Upington and no negative impacts of high significance have been identified. 5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that the following mitigation measures are implemented and included in the Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) to reduce the significance of the negative impacts and enhance the benefits on tourists and tourism facilities:

5.2.1 Sense of place (Construction Phase) The footprint of the SEZ and Solar PV Facility must be clearly demarcated and construction activities must be restricted to this area.

5.2.2 Sense of place (Operational Phase)

The Solar PV Facility must be maintained as to prevent the growth of alien vegetation and to ensure that litter does not accumulate near the facility. Indigenous vegetation should be used to revegetate the site where possible; and

Educational tours of the Solar PV Facility should be considered to attract tourists and educate scholars and other interested individuals.



REFERENCE LIST Brand South Africa: www.brandsouthafrica.com

Barbour, T. & Rogatschnig, D. (2011) ‘Social Impact Assessment: Proposed Kakamas Photovoltaic Solar

Energy Facility, Northern Cape Province’, Available at: Savannah Environmental (Pty) Ltd. Dawid Kruiper Municipality: dkm.gov.za

Department: Tourism: www.tourism.gov.za

Experience the Northern Cape: experiencenortherncape.com

Green Kalahari: www.greenkalahari.co.za

Ground Up: www.groundup.org.za

Northern Cape Tourism Board: www.northerncape.org.za Prinsloo, F.C. (2013) ‘The impact of renewable energy structures on tourism’, Technical Report 2013/7.

Stellenbosch University. P 1-12. SA-Venues: www.sa-venues.com

Southafrica-travel.net: www.southafrica-travel.net

South African Local Government Association (SALGA):bled.co.za

South African Tourism: www.southafrica.net

Statistics South Africa, 2011 Census: www.statssa.gov.za

Tripadvisor South Africa: www.tripadvisor.co.za

Upington Accommodation, Businesses & Tourism Portal: www.upington.co.za

Upington.com: www.upington.com

Upington Directory: www.upington.biz

Upington-information: www.upington-information.co.za

Upington Tourism: www.upingtontourism.co.za

ZF Mgcawu District Municipality: zfm-dm.co.za

http://www.brandsouthafrica.com/

http://www.tourism.gov.za/

http://www.greenkalahari.co.za/

http://www.groundup.org.za/

http://www.northerncape.org.za/

http://www.sa-venues.com/

http://www.southafrica-travel.net/

http://www.southafrica.net/

http://www.statssa.gov.za/

http://www.tripadvisor.co.za/

http://www.upington.co.za/

http://www.upington.com/

http://www.upington.biz/

http://www.upington-information.co.za/

http://www.upingtontourism.co.za/

PROPOSED SOLAR SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE (SEZ) … Special Economic Zone SEZ... · proposed solar...

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